The New Matchless Motorcycle Is An Unexpected Tour de Force in Design

The Matchless name and motorcycle brand, long lost to history, was recently re-launch at the Milan motorcycle show in early November.

Matchless was once one of Britain’s most revered motorcycle makers, and through Associated Motorcycle Company, they built bikes plated as AJS, Sunbeam, Indian and Norton. But sadly, the firm ceased to exist in 1966.

But in 2012, the rights to the brand and the marque were purchased by the Malenotti family – the clothiers of Belstaff fame – and they used it to launch a line of clothing.

But the Malenotti’s also promised to build a bike one day, and now they have.

They call it the Model X Reloaded, and the results by Franco Malenotti and his Matchless design team are no less than a revelation.

The Model X Reloaded features a 1916cc S&S motor and the styling? It’s an homage to a time when motorcycles looked fantastic and brawny.

From it’s tank-mounted dials, ‘floating’ solo seat, old-school front suspension setup to modern features like a 12-piston single front brake caliper, the air-cooled V-twin Model X Reloaded is an enormous achievement.

Engine: 1916cc, S&S, air-cooled V-twin
Frame: Steel monocoque, integral oil tank
Fork: Castle type with shock absorber
Rear shock: Twin hidden pull-system shocks
Front wheel: 130/90 R16
Back wheel: 200/55 R17
Front brake: 12-piston caliper, single disc
Rear brake: 6-piston caliper, single disc